Trainee Access Officer

Job Title: Trainee Access Officer
Starting Salary: £31,537 progressing to £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37
Location: Countywide
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Directorate: Growth & Environment

About the team

Hertfordshire County Council’s ambitious policies relating to Sustainability, Active Travel and Access to Green Space make the Countryside & Rights of Way Service more relevant than ever. We work in partnership with landowners, communities, volunteers, and other local authorities to protect and improve the network of public rights of way and accessible greenspaces across Hertfordshire.

About the role

A rare opportunity has become available in our busy Access Team, responsible for the maintenance and improvement of our 3200+km network of Footpaths, Bridleways, and Byways.

The team are responsible for all day-to-day operations, ensuring that the network is maintained to a high standard and open and accessible to our many users. Activities include surveying routes, specifying and managing contracts, supporting the work of our many volunteers, negotiating with landowners and responding to planning applications to secure improvements.

As a trainee you will work alongside our experienced Rights of Way professionals. You will gain valuable experience, working in an interesting and varied role and will receive support to develop your portfolio of skills and experience in a dynamic, supportive environment.

About you

Essential criteria:

*Graduate calibre candidate looking to develop expertise and competence in Public Rights of Way management
*Able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in the environment sector
*Able to work in an organised and professional manner, assimilate information from more experienced colleagues and develop skills quickly to make a meaningful contribution
*Excellent IT literacy skills
*A full current driving licence is essential

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Technical Services, level TEC8 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles: Technical services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Lee Tyson, Operations Manager on 01992 556049 for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: w/c 23rd of February 2026

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.